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Memories & Candles

“Merlin was a great guy my kids and I have missed him ..... We would take thanksgiven and Christmas food to him when we had dinners he loved it ......Read More »
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1 of 2 | Posted by: charety kneedler - murray, IA

“didn't know him well, but always knew he loved life-some thought he was strange, but I think he enjoyed everything God created..he will be sorely ...Read More »
”
2 of 2 | Posted by: tom and robin shannon - IA

Merlin Duane Clement, son of Carl & Stella (Jerome) Clement, was born in Central City, Nebraska on September 2, 1926. Merlin lived most all of his life in and around Hopeville, Iowa. In 1957, he married Gertrude L. Lawrence and became a dad to Nadine and Joe. Joe passed away at the age of 5 from the German Measles. Merlin was also known as "Whiskers" or 'Goatman" around Hopeville.
Over the years he farmed, worked on the railroad, worked construction, cut and sold wood, had a salvage yard, and did odd jobs for people. He raised goats as the milk helped his stomach. Merlin loved listening to the radio. He seldom bought anything new and never threw anything away. His wife, Gertrude, passed away in 1983. After Nadine moved away, if Merlin wanted her to come visit, he would send her a letter with a blank piece of paper in it and she knew he wanted to see her.
Due to health reasons, Merlin became a resident of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr and he passed away there on November 21, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son Joe; sister Sylvia Hoyt; brother Myron Clement; and a nephew Danny Hoyt.
Survivors include his daughter Nadine (Robert) Dryer of Ellston, IA; grandchildren Tonia (Mike) DeLong of Geneseo, IL, David (Mindy) DeLong of Peru, IA, Shane (Melissa) DeLong of Clinton, IA, Lisa (Josh) Conn of Ellston, IA, and Robert (Gretchen) Dryer of Maquoketa, IA; great grandchildren Kayla (Bryce) Fuller of Maquoketa, IA, Megan (Cody) Nimrick of Atkinson, IL, Tiffany (Kylie) DeLong of Newton, IA, Melissa Edwards of Orient, IA, Christa DeLong of Peru, IA, Alex DeLong of Clinton, IA, Brandon DeLong of Clinton, IA, Daniel Glaspie of Peru, IA, Gunner Glaspie of Peru, IA, and David DeLong of Peru, IA; great great grandchildren Elijah Nimrick of Atkinson, IL and Oliver Fuller of Maquoketa, IA; brother-in-law Don Hoyt of Afton, IA; nieces Sue Rota of Hopeville, IA and Sandy Hoyt of Des Moines, IA; nephews Jerry Hoyt of Osceola, IA and Edward Hoyt of the Quad Cities; other relatives and friends.
Memorials are to the family.

Memories & Candles

Merlin was a great guy my kids and I have missed him ..... We would take thanksgiven and Christmas food to him when we had dinners he loved it ... Matt checked on him every day to make sure he was ok they would set in the road and talk for hours .... He always had stories to tell .. So sorry hes gone but in a much happier place .

Posted by: charety kneedler - murray, IA - friend Nov 24, 2013

didn't know him well, but always knew he loved life-some thought he was strange, but I think he enjoyed everything God created..he will be sorely missed by those that understood life..